@Luke, yo, my guy, Happy New Year! . I have been practicing to get a video together for you. I have been playing “Crossed Eyed Cat” I feel like I’m running out of air. I am really trying dig in on that second riff (the response?) ‘ the deep growling -2’ bends. Do you have any workouts you can recommend, on and off the harmonica?
On a side note about air, I almost feel like, I wasn’t losing air through my nose until I started thinking about it, and now I know I’m doing it! What can I do to stop? I put earplugs in my nose one night. Anyhow, Happy New Year, everyone! Peace and Love HELP ME Master @Luke, you are my only hope! @Luke
The Yellow Rose Of Texas and El Condor Pasa are two that really test my breathing. Most notes are draws. Just trying them is a breath test.
For the 2 a harp tech suggested the following riff and it really helped. -2 -2 -2//-2// -2/ -2/ 2/ -2/ -2 -2. I find it easier to start low and release until I hit the next higher step. Its the batman song I think but never a show I watched.
This is something unique about harmonica..
It is completely reflective-of and responsive-to breath. Both on the inhale and the exhale of breath. A yoga kinda thing. A yin-yang thing. A fascinating instrument.
And a very healthy breath exercise, as well.
@jasonnitz510 Hey my friend Happy New Year! Are you talking about the riff over the IV chord? -2” -2 -3’ -3’ -2 -2” -2 -3’? If so, then I’m sure you’re actually overfilling with air, not running out right?
I can definitely recommend breathing exercises and such, just need to make sure we’re on the same page with your diagnosis. Overfilling and running out both trigger the asphyxiation reflex, and sometimes we can mistake which one is going on.
“Outgassing” is pushing air out your nose when you’re blowing on the harmonica so that you can get more air out of your lungs more quickly. Aka “Nose push.”
YES you can practice it anytime (YOU DON’T NEED A HARMONICA.) Just practice breathing air out your nose and mouth at the same time. See if you can push air out your nose harder than out your mouth at the same time! That’s ninja skills brah!
Also, make sure you’re not allowing air to come in through your nose when you’re breathing in. You can confirm this by pinching your nose. I check myself like this and find all the time that I am allowing air to come in through my nose when I’m drawing on the harmonica.
I’ve been on a CPAP for years and if you use one you know your brain trains itself to not allow air between the nose and mouth after a few weeks on CPAP. Otherwise, the pressurized air rushes through your mouth and dries your throat and isn’t very comfortable either. Plus, before I signed up I saw several players like Gussow recommend loosening your lips on blows. I’ve search the interwebs and haven’t found anything to “untrain” your brain. I been replaying the “Church” tracks and doing train exercises. But I “cheat” and loosen my lips. Anyone with a CPAP, have more advice?
Thanks for the reply. It was in depth. I do loosen the mouth. But am trying to learn the nose push. I’ll reread from the email and see if a few of those help
I have just discovered the 5 minute practice video (Big Tone Train) which has interesting practice for 1/8th notes and 1/16th notes for rhythm - “Who who huh huh”. I plan to work on this before I continue my work on “Beginner to Boss”. For Level 2, is there a variation for 1/12ths and shuffle?
@kenyis - welcome to the forum! I wouldn’t forgo working through BTB. Just augment it by making that 1/16th notes a 2 minute part of your daily practice routine to accelerate your growth!